Michael Lewis Melton Jr. of Ponce Inlet, Florida passed away on May 11, 2021 in Ponce Inlet. A celebration of life will be May 25, 2021, 3 p.m. at the Halifax River Yacht Club.
Michael Melton was born September 24, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York to Gladys and Michael Melton. Michael went to high school at Princess Anne High School in Lynnhaven, Virginia where he was a regional basketball star and graduated June 7, 1956. He then attended college at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree on June 10, 1962. After graduation from college, Michael enlisted in the United States Air Force, completing pilot training school May 13, 1964 at Reese Airforce Base in Lubbock, Texas. While stationed at Reese AFB, Michael met Dianne who was attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock. They dated and then married August 22, 1964 in Norfolk, Virginia.
Michael served in the United States Air Force for almost six years. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving two tours flying C-130s where he earned the Air Medal with 1st through 4th Oak Clusters. Michael always considered it a high honor to have served his country. He then went into the commercial airline industry flying commercially both domestic & international, first for Western Airlines then Delta Airlines. Michael was an accomplished flyer, motorcyclist, & boater - pursuits he approached with his competent yet fun, loving style. Michael and Dianne loved living on the water here in Ponce Inlet. They met wonderful friends and enjoyed time on their boat here. They loved to travel, lived all over the world, and spent lots of time on the ocean with friends. He will be greatly missed.
Michael Melton was preceded in death by his mother Gladys Melton and father Michael Melton as well as his in-loves Marie and Audie Taylor.
Michael Melton is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Dianne Melton, brother-in-law Dr. Donald C Taylor and his wife Nancy Taylor, his niece Lauren Tidmore and her husband Matthew Tidmore, grandnieces Julia and Allie Tidmore, nephew Craig Taylor and his wife Tiffany Taylor and grand nephews Hayes and Jack Taylor.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Halifax River Yacht Club and Loman Funeral Home. We would also like to thank Mike and Dianne’s close friends for loving them and assisting us.
